as in red lights
something that tells of approaching danger or risk
the résumé she accidentally left on the office printer was a red flag that she was planning to quit
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Recent Examples of red flags
Top red flags related to cleanliness include a dirty bathroom, dishes or takeout boxes everywhere, no shower curtain, having a mattress on the floor, and clothes on the floor.
—
Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Why this could be a scam John's experience shows several red flags.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Their findings raised red flags.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
But the red flags are there, too.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Members of the Metropolitan Airports Commission had raised red flags over a streetcar accessing the same track as the Blue Line light rail at MSP, as well as necessary road improvements approaching the airport.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
No big credit red flags, though corporate credit spreads are up off their lows in recent weeks and the nagging questions about a couple of private-debt blowups are on repeat.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
One such trend, which has since become known as the ‘pink pilates princess,’ might not raise any red flags at first.
—Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
But red flags can be harder to see when a buyer really wants a deal to get done.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Why this could be a scam John's experience shows several red flags.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Their findings raised red flags.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
But the red flags are there, too.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Members of the Metropolitan Airports Commission had raised red flags over a streetcar accessing the same track as the Blue Line light rail at MSP, as well as necessary road improvements approaching the airport.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
No big credit red flags, though corporate credit spreads are up off their lows in recent weeks and the nagging questions about a couple of private-debt blowups are on repeat.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
One such trend, which has since become known as the ‘pink pilates princess,’ might not raise any red flags at first.
—Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
But red flags can be harder to see when a buyer really wants a deal to get done.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red flags
Noun
-
For example, orange lights mark the warm-up segment to activate body’s core, red lights are used for the toning and strength sections, while blue ones define the more relaxing cool-down and stretching bits.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Buses receive priority at intersections during other times but will still hit some red lights.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The footage, however, does not clearly show what preceded the alleged incident or whether any warnings were given.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
China conducted military exercises in Serbia in July despite stern warnings from the European Union, and Belgrade provides Beijing with a security foothold in Europe.—
Chris Massaro,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With unpredictable twists and emotions running high, this Halloween is especially chaotic, and Mutable signs — Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces — can't imagine what's in store.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Front-foot defending and slick attacking interplay, especially on the left flank, has been the blueprint over the past few seasons, but there are signs of evolution.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Red flags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20flags. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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